[http://www.scouting.org/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges.aspx Per the BSA:] ''You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject.'' Merit badge pamplets are available at your local [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/storeloc.aspx Scout Shop] or online at [http://www.scoutstuff.org/ ScoutStuff.org].

[http://www.scouting.org/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges.aspx Per the BSA:] ''You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject.'' Merit badge pamplets are available at your local [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/storeloc.aspx Scout Shop] or online at [http://www.scoutstuff.org/ ScoutStuff.org].

Contents

Merit badge requirements

1. Discuss with your counselor the influence that EIGHT of the following people or events had on the history of medicine:

a. Hippocrates

b. William Harvey

c. Antoine van Leeuwenhoek

d. Edward Jenner

e. Florence Nightingale

f. Louis Pasteur

g. Gregor Mendel

h. Joseph Lister

i. Robert Koch

j. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen

k. Marie and Pierre Curie

l. Walter Reed

m. Karl Landsteiner

n. Alexander Fleming

o. Jonas Salk

p. James Watson and Francis Crick

2. Explain the Hippocratic Oath to your counselor, and compare to the original version to a more modern one. Discuss to whom those subscribing to the original version of the oath owe the greatest allegiance.

3. Discuss the health-care provider-patient relationship with your counselor, and the importance of such a relationship in the delivery of quality care to the patient. Describe the role of confidentiality in this relationship.

4. Do the following:

a. Describe the roles the following people play in the delivery of health care in your state. (Note: Not all may exist in your state.)

1. Physician

2. Chiropractor

3. Optometrist

4. Podiatrist

5. Pharmacist

6. Psychologist

7. Physician's assistant

8. Nurse practitioner

9. Nurse-midwife

10. Registered Nurse

11. Licensed vocational/practical nurse

12. Medical assistant

13. Emergency medical technician

14. Medical laboratory technologist

15. Radiologic technologist

16. Physical therapist

17. Occupational therapist

18. Respiratory therapist

b. Describe the educational and licensing requirements for five of those in 4a --other than 4a(1)- - practicing health care in your state.

5.a. Tell what is meant by the term "primary care" with regard to a medical specialty. Briefly describe the types of work done by physicians in the following "core" specialties:

1. Internal medicine*

2. Family practice*

3. Obstetrics/gynecology*

4. Pediatrics*

5. Psychiatry

6. Surgery

5.b. Describe the additional educational requirements for these specialties.

6.a. Briefly describe the types of work performed by physicians in FIVE of the following specialties or subspecialties:

1. Allergy/immunology

2. Anesthesiology

3. Cardiovascular disease

4. Colon and rectal surgery

5. Dermatology

6. Emergency Medicine

7. Endocrinology and metabolism

8. Gastroenterology

9. Geriatric medicine

10. Hematology/oncology

11. Infectious disease

12. Nephrology

13. Neurological surgery

14. Neurology

15. Nuclear medicine

16. Opthalmology

17. Orthopedic surgery

18. Otolaryngology/head and neck surgery

19. Pathology

20. Physical medicine and rehabilitation

21. Plastic, reconstructive, and maxillofacial surgery.

22. Preventive medicine

23. Radiology

24. Rheumatology

25. Thoracic/cardiothoracic surgery

26. Urology

27. Vascular surgery

6.b. Describe the additional educational requirements for the five specialties or subspecialties you chose in 6a.

7.a. Visit a physician's office,** preferably one who delivers "primary care." (This may be that of your counselor.) Discuss the components of a medical history and physical examination (an official BSA health form may be used to guide this discussion), and become familiar with the instruments used.

7.b. Describe the characteristics of a good diagnostic test to screen for disease (e.g. routine blood pressure measurement). Explain briefly why diagnostic tests are not perfect.

7.c. Show how to take a blood pressure reading and a pulse reading.

8. Do the following:

a. Discuss the roles medical societies, the insurance industry, and the government play in influencing the practice of medicine in the United States.

b. Briefly tell how your state monitors the quality of health care within its borders, and how it provides care to those who do not have health insurance.

9. Compare and discuss with your counselor the health care delivery systems in the United States, Sweden, and China.